LPA- enhanced southwest monsoon brings rains over Luzon

The low pressure area (LPA) outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) continues to enhance the southwest monsoon or “Habagat” that will still dump rains over some parts of Luzon, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Friday said.

In an interview, PAGASA weather forecaster Jaime Bordales said as of 4 a.m, the LPA was spotted some 430 km west northwest of Sinait, Ilocos Sur and is still outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

Bordales said since the LPA is still in the sea the possibility to intensify into a tropical depression is still remote.

Should the LPA become a cyclone while inside the PAR, he said it will be locally codenamed “Florita.”

He also said the LPA is expected to enter PAR since its almost in the boundary.

PAGASA expects two to three tropical cyclones to enter the country this month.

However, he said the LPA continues to enhance the southwest monsoon and will bring rains particularly in western section of Luzon.

The southwest monsoon is the prevailing wind system duringthe rainy season.

Meanwhile, Bordales said the agency issued yellow warning at 6:25 a.m., as moderate to heavy rains is expected to affect Zambales and Bataan.

Under the warning system, yellow means flooding is possible in low-lying areas and landslides in mountainous areas.

He added that expect light to moderate rains to affect Rizal‬, Batangas‬, ‪Cavite‬, ‪Tarlac‬ and some portions of ‪MetroManila‬, ‪Bulacan‬, Pampanga‬, and ‪Nueva Ecija‬ which may persist within three hours.

“People are advised to monitor the weather condition and watch out for the next warning,” said PAGASA

Bordales said rainy weather is still expected over the weekend.

For Friday forecast, PAGASA said Batanes, Calayan and Babuyan group of islands, the regions of Ilocos, Cordillera and Central Luzon will experience monsoon rains while Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will have occasional rains.

The rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

The state weather bureau issued gale warning as strong to gale force winds associated with the surge of southwest monsoon as enhance by LPA which would affect northern and western seaboard of Northern Luzon and the western seaboard of Southern Luzon.

“Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves,” it warned.

It added that moderate to strong winds coming from the southwest will prevail over Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to rough.

Light to moderate winds coming from the southwest will prevail over Visayas and from the south to southwest over Mindanao with slight to moderate seas. PNA